Ian Rankin delighted fans at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Friday night with the news that he is writing a new novel featuring his iconic detective John Rebus, to be published in Autumn 2018.

The novel will be published by the Orion Publishing Group in hardback, ebook and audiobook, with a paperback to follow in 2019.

The announcement, made in Rankin’s home town where his Rebus novels are also set, comes during REBUS 30, a year of celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of the first Rebus book, KNOTS & CROSSES.

Ian Rankin says: “After 30 years and 21 novels, John Rebus seems to have more fans than ever – and luckily for me there’s still plenty of life (and fight) in the old dog. Rebus has been proud to call Orion his home for his various adventures and it’s a thrill and privilege for me to say that a further instalment will arrive in 2018, published by Orion, overseen by my indefatigable editor, Jon Wood. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to spend some time with an old friend…”